Absolute scenes! Back to back champions. This @Lionesses team is incredible. The whole team should be so proud. Although for Michelle Agyemang to go from ball girl to young player of the tournament in 4 years is something else. Amazing. #itsstayinghome #Euro2025

Emotions always run high, but as always the excellent @davidallengreen.bsky.social sets out the true position. Thank you. Please read if you are interested in this case.

Top Tip Time! If someone has to come out and explain why your speech was NOT like that of a famous 1930s fascist, then your speech was like that. Terrible to see Labour slipping further down this path to appease Reform. Let’s get back to being Labour. www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...

I’m not @therestpolitics.bsky.social , and I may be wrong, but it seems to me that if @teamlabouruk.bsky.social focused more on bringing back those Labour voters that have stopped voting, rather than trying to win over voters from other parties, we would be in a much stronger position.

Another legal thriller written by a barrister? Yes please! Especially one written by the fabulous @barristersecret.bsky.social. Can’t wait for this one. Especially as I finished all my @tonykentwrites.bsky.social

The rather boring fact is that, whether or not you agree that courts (unrepresentative of society) would benefit from more information about offenders from underrepresented groups before passing sentence, both Mahmood and Jenrick had the opportunity to take part in the consultation. And they didn’t.

Another push to everyone that needs to complete the @thecriminalbar.bsky.social survey. It will take about 15 minutes but is absolutely vital moving forward. Please do fill it in if you haven’t already done so. And if you have, thank you so much!

Another push to everyone that needs to complete the @thecriminalbar.bsky.social survey. It will take about 15 minutes but is absolutely vital moving forward. Please do fill it in if you haven’t already done so. And if you have, thank you so much!

If anyone is yet to complete the National Survey from @thecriminalbar.bsky.social then please do. Facts and figures are vital when sitting down with people to try and affect change in the system. It will take about 20 minutes. The link is in your Monday message. Thanks to everyone that has done it!

Barristers, Judges, everyone with a simple understanding of the justice system would warn of this. Really could just say, Juryless trails not the answer. There, end of. This tired conversation is not the answer to the chronic issues in the system. @thecriminalbar.bsky.social

Was a pleasure today to meet with @robertjenrickmp.bsky.social to discuss the crisis in the justice system. Lack of sitting days, impact on all those involved, and funding were all talked about. We will fight the fight and try to get a fair result for the criminal bar. @thecriminalbar.bsky.social

Many years ago when I was turning my hand to acting, I was told that I was like a young Tony Slattery. I am not sure it was meant as a compliment. I certainly took it as a great compliment. Brilliant comedian. Comedian and actor Tony Slattery dies aged 65 www.bbc.com/news/article...

We are delighted to have joined #Bluesky Follow along for legal updates, content and news from the members of 42BR Barristers. #SocialMedia #LegalCommunity #Barristers #Chambers

I first learnt of grooming gangs from @theTimes in Jan 2011 I became chief prosecutor May 2011 I authorised charging Rochdale grooming gang June 2011 After convictions (May 2012) Starmer put me in charge of national response Far Right thugs attacked my home 1000s of rapists were brought to justice

Is this wall in the room with you now?

Happy New Year to everyone. We will continue to fight the good fight in 2025, but for now let’s party!

Watching @bbc strictly and Chris MCausland. The fact that you forget he is blind is such a credit to the professionals and the whole show. Then you remember he is blind. And it blows your mind all over again. What a winner. #Strictly

The problem: Not enough barristers and Judges to try and hear cases. Cases adjourned. Backlog. Not a problem: Court rooms. Solution: Move cases to new Court with new name. To be tried by barristers. And heard by Judges. When you see it written down the obvious flaw in this new plan is clear!

Crisis in the Courts. @theguardian.com have really embraced this. A series of excellent pieces from Emily Dugan highlight some of the issues. And not just saying that as I am quoted! 🤣 @thecriminalbar.bsky.social www.theguardian.com/law/2024/dec...

Just watched SkyNews with commentary from Mary Prior KC. Wow. Hadn’t realised so much across the UK criminal justice system was so broken. All those individuals & the institutions that support the system need urgent support … wow.

Trials being pushed to 2028. Defendants, complainants and witnesses left in limbo. A “Wild West” state of affairs in criminal justice. Great piece from @skynewsrss.bsky.social with comment from @thecriminalbar.bsky.social Chair Mary Prior KC. news.sky.com/story/inside...

This is just another sound bite. People will not elect to the Crown Court without a jury. So more cases in the Magistrates. Leading to more appeals as there is an automatic appeal route. Leading to more cases in the Crown Court. FUND THE SYSTEM! @thecriminalbar.bsky.social

Well I guess it's time to finally christen this new account

Huge thanks to all those who spoke @thecriminalbar.bsky.social Winter conference today. And to all those from the education committee who organised. To @innertemple.org.uk for hosting. And, of course, to all of you for coming. A great day. Well done all.

It’s Saturday, it’s nearly 8am. It’s time for @thecriminalbar.bsky.social Winter conference. We hope to see as many of you there as we can. Do come and say hi. Breakfast will be served so get down as fast as you can! It will be a great day @innertemple.org.uk

We share expert information on the Criminal Justice System and the criminal Bar helpful material can also be had from @moodybarrister.bsky.social CBA secretary @jamesrossiter.bsky.social CBA comms director @idlecourts.bsky.social + @barristersecret.bsky.social for why it matters, how it should work

So, we have finally come over to the other side. Please do follow @thecriminalbar.bsky.social for all CBA updates. Welcome!

Decided on a bit of culture for the day. Taking the kids to @middletemple.bsky.social for a classical music concert narrated by the great Sir Richard Stilgoe. Highly recommended for anyone who hasn’t been.

Another day, another rape trial being prosecuted by a silk due to no junior being available. Defence now have a silk out of fairness. That’s £15,000 added to the public bill because we don’t fund juniors to do the work!

Two courts now pulling trials from December 2024 and listing them in Sept 2027 and Dec 2027. Three years time. Justice delayed etc… Courts need to be open and manned by Judges and Counsel. Desperate.

Given the backlog is not helped by the lack of barristers or Judges to try cases, is it time for a temporary exemption on them to have jury duty? Many stories of counsel not getting on panels, all the while trials go off for lack of barristers. @barristersecret.bsky.social

The criminal justice system needs proper investment, not just sticking plasters and soundbites for headlines. Thanks to LBC news for having me on to talk about the issues. You can catch it on @GlobalPlayer

Ah, Halloween. That time of year when I go to pick one of my daughters’ large fake plastic spiders off the floor. Only for it to turn out to be real, jump up my arm and escape. Sad times! 🤣

Huge congratulations to all those ranked in @thelegal500 this year. Please remember your humble brag to @billablehour.bsky.social! Delighted my entry reads: “No matches found.” 🤣

With pupilage season approaching, now is the time to brush up on public speaking. If you haven’t had much chance to practice that, here are some top tips from expert public speakers. And me! amp.theguardian.com/education/20...

Are you looking for a fun thing to do this weekend? Fancy seeing a mock trial? Looking in cells? Listening to me talking criminal justice and answering questions? Then come down to Lewes Crown Court for their open day. All ages. Free entry. Be there, or be somewhere else.

Time for a non-legal post! If you are looking for things to do with kids in the rain, most local theatres put on kid friendly productions. They introduce kids to the arts and are a great way to keep them entertained. Just been to “The Hungry Caterpillar” at the Rose Theatre in Kingston. Recommended.

I don’t like being away for work, but had to bite the bullet this week. It has however led to me being given the biggest hotel breakfast I have ever had! Haha. No, I didn’t eat it all.

So close!

What an excellent end of the day! Law Paw now on Bluesky.

Bem-vindos a todos os novos Brasileiros! Vocês vão gostar mais disto do que pão de queijo!

I can now conclude, after extensive viewing, that Goalball is the greatest sport ever invented. I will take no questions on this! #paris2024

In my new series, “Crown Courts I end up in that are miles away from me”, I present the next in the series: Gloucester. Very pleasant. But sooo far! #barristertravels

This is excellent from @familoo.bsky.social about the recent “story”. It’s nuanced, but is absolutely spot on in the final paragraph: “it’s a shame, isn’t it, that we can’t get so much airtime focused on the real stories playing out in family courts every day”. True of so many justice stories.

May I recommend that you follow @gailmyerscough.bsky.social who designed this fantastic shirt for the @billablehour.bsky.social appeal for Save the Children: billablehour.teemill.com/product/a-le... and is therefore a bona fide Billable Hero?

Well good morning UK. Looking good today. I have missed you! #travels

In my old life in a band we used to be able to hop on a bus / plane and be in mainland Europe within hours. We would tour through 7 or 8 countries. We did this at least once a year. And we got paid quickly. Brexit has ruined this, as we all said it would.

For those that are interested in the sentencing of the riots, this article sets out what people have been charged with and the sentences received. All within guidelines and all following the law laid down by Parliament. www.bbc.com/news/article...

Current Awareness - 'Ex-soldier among several jailed over riots in Rotherham and Southport' Source: The Guardian www.theguardian.com/uk-news/arti...

Despite my out of office clearly directing where to send urgent emails, I am aware that some are being sent urgently that only I can apparently deal with. Rest assured, they are my top priority! 🤣